Registration for AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2022 is now open. The conference will be held April 25-28 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
The XPONENTIAL 2022 theme is “Autonomy Meets Society.” The conference will include keynotes, educational sessions, specialized workshops, and an XPO Hall with 650+ exhibits.
Sessions will feature concentrated presentations, panel discussions, and audience questions to help drive deeper conversations and solutions to some of the industry’s greatest hurdles.
Session themes include:
Convergence Zone: Intersection w/ Businesses
Critical Point: Intersection with Government
DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Forum
FULL JOIN: Intersection with Data
Interchange: Intersection with Industries
Nexus of Future Mobility: Intersection with Individuals
Proving Grounds: Enterprise + Government Solutions
Technology Crossing: Intersection with Design
Collaborative workshops will provide XPONENTIAL attendees an in-depth look into targeted topics and the solutions needed to harness the full potential of uncrewed technologies now and into the future.
Workshops include:
Orange you Glad Florida is Investing in Autonomy?
Robotics for Conservation
Translating Sustainability
Assured Autonomy Through Safety Performance Monitoring
The Safety Target
Connectedness: How Federal-State-Local Governments are Conquering Implementation Challenges Together
Accelerating Innovation Through Diversity of Thought
DoD Agile Acquisition Workshop – INVITATION ONLY
To view the XPONENTIAL 2022 schedule and exhibitors list and register for the event, visit XPONENTIAL’s website.
The Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems International (AUVSI) brings its annual conference, XPONENTIAL, to Atlanta, Aug. 16-19. The event invites industry changemakers and end users to experience new technology that is solving real world problems, from safety and defense, to energy and infrastructure, business, construction, health, and the environment. The convention features keynote speakers, panel presentations, educational programs, specialized workshops, networking opportunities, and an exhibitor hall featuring newly developed technology to preview.
“To support our community and these technologies as they continue to accelerate along the innovation curve, our theme this year is Assured Autonomy,” said Brian Wynne, President and CEO of AUVSI. “As an industry, we must work together to ensure these systems are created, deployed, marketed and regulated to create a virtuous cycle of trust, social benefit, and economic growth. You’ll see that focus throughout our programming on-site, as well as in the technologies and operational services on display from our exhibitors.”
XPONENTIAL typically attracts 8,000+ attendees each year, who attend 100+ educational sessions organized by tracks focused around technology, policy, and public acceptance. The Solutions Theatre features the top experts in their field sharing best practices, technical discoveries and announces the AUVSI XCELLENCE Award winners. The Startup XCELERATOR Pavillion serves as a hub for emerging technologies and early-stage companies providing a glimpse into the industry’s future. Meanwhile, the XPO Hall provides access to more than 450+ companies all showcasing the latest breakthroughs in drones, robotics, and other unmanned systems.
The May virtual conference will feature live keynotes and education, interactive roundtable discussions and networking sessions. It also will include exhibits from leading technology companies and service providers. All sessions will be recorded and made available on-demand to attendees for 90 days following the event.
The August in-person event will feature a new program of keynote speakers and educational sessions, safely facilitated networking opportunities, and an expanded exhibit hall to experience the latest technology innovations and solutions.
The theme of Xponential 2021 is “Assured Autonomy,” which refers to the process, methodology and guiding principles for ensuring unmanned and autonomous systems will be safe and practical options, able to repeatedly perform the operations they are designed for and be seamlessly integrated into society at scale. According to AUVSI, this theme supports the event’s legacy of convening experts across markets and domains to advance the market for all things unmanned.
“As the global stage for all things unmanned, AUVSI Xponential 2021 is where you’ll join a community of end users, technologists and policymakers working together to fulfill this vision,” AUVSI said. “The series will support its mission to convene the unmanned and automated systems community to accelerate innovation and market adoption of the related technologies.”
AUVSI is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems and robotics. It represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries involved in industry, government and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets.
Check out GPS World‘s coverage of AUVSI Xponential from 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
“For decades, the unmanned systems industry has reshaped critical missions and business operations by meeting challenges head-on with innovation and resolve,” said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI. “Our commitment to supporting the unmanned systems community remains unwavering, so amidst the current global health crisis we, too, must adapt to fulfill that mission.”
Xponential 2020 was originally scheduled to take place May 4-7 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. It was then rescheduled to take place Oct. 5-8 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.
“While we are disappointed to not be convening in person this year, the health and safety of Xponential exhibitors and attendees is our utmost priority,” Wynne said. “It may not look like the Xponential we are used to, but we look forward to offering attendees the opportunity to virtually network, learn from and collaborate with one another just as they have in years past.”
According to AUVSI, those who have already registered for Xponential will receive an email in the coming weeks to confirm options for participation in the virtual event.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) will host the 5th annual FAA UAS Symposium virtually, rather than in-person in Baltimore. The event will take place June 16-18.
This decision was made as a result of the ongoing concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers said.
The FAA and AUVSI also will be hosting a series of virtual events that will address the content already planned for this year’s program. The fist will take place in early summer and will focus on UTM and international UAS integration. The second will take place in late summer with a focus on updates to the Integration Pilot Program and public safety operations.
According to organizers, those registered for the 5th annual FAA UAS Symposium will receive a separate message in the coming weeks to confirm options for participation in the virtual events.
Those selected as speakers for the 5th annual FAA UAS Symposium will receive a separate message from AUVSI’s Industry Education Team to confirm participation, as well as any schedule changes.
The show was originally scheduled to take place May 4-7 in Boston. It was then postponed to tentatively take place Aug. 10-12 in Boston. Because AUVSI was unable to secure the original location for the new dates, the trade show has been moved to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.
“While we are disappointed to leave Boston, we are excited to confirm that we will be once again hosting Xponential in Dallas, Texas,” said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI. “We anticipate great participation based on the attendance and engagement we experienced there in 2017, and our AUVSI Lone Star Chapter has already extended a warm welcome on behalf of the Texas unmanned systems community.”
According to AUVSI, it based its decision to reschedule to the fall on concerns for the health and safety of the attendees of the trade show because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“For 48 years we have witnessed how innovation and resolve meet challenges head-on to reshape critical missions and business operations for the better,” Wynne said. “Our commitment to supporting the unmanned systems community remains unwavering, so amidst the current global health crisis we, too, must adapt to fulfill that mission.”
AUVSI also will implement a health and safety plan to address social distancing and other measures to help keep participants safe, the association said.
The AUVSI Xponential trade show highlights advancement of businesses and technologies in the unmanned systems industry.
According to AUVSI, the series will offer information, insights and insider knowledge covering a number of topics, including drone delivery, public safety, connectivity, and other aspects of the unmanned systems and robotics industry.
These webinars are being held because of the rescheduled Xponential 2020 conference. Xponential 2020 was originally scheduled to take place May 4-8 in Boston, but is now tentatively scheduled to take place Aug. 9-12.
AUVSI offered an overview of the webinars, which are all complimentary.
Digital Twins — The Future of Virtual and Mixed Reality Robotic Avatars Date: Monday, May 4, 3-4 p.m. EDT Speaker: Peter Haas, associate director, Humanity Centered Robotics Initiative, Brown University
Hass will describe how advances in mixed and virtual reality control will lead to a UX revolution for avatar-based robotic teleoperation, where the manipulation of digital twins will translate to manipulation of a robot — or robots — in the physical world. Register here.
Drone Delivery Supporting Public Health Date: Tuesday, May 5, 3-4 p.m. EDT Speakers: Eric Gardiner and Eric Lasker, federal business development, Zipline
Executives from Zipline will describe how drone delivery has evolved through the Federal Aviation Administration UAS Integration Pilot Program and is now being adapted to help community healthcare partners respond to COVID-19 in the United States. Register here.
NASA’s Vision and Role to Enable Urban Air Mobility Date: Wednesday, May 6, 3-4 p.m. EDT Speakers: Robert Pearce, associate administrator, NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, and Brian Wynne, president and CEO, AUVSI
Pearce will review initiatives to enable small UAS operating at low altitude through a UAS Traffic Management System and large UAS operating in higher altitude airspace with definitive flight experiments to validate key standards, such as detect-and-avoid technology. Wynne will host a discussion with Pearce about his full vision for future aviation, including what the next 50 years has in store for commercial airline travel and urban air mobility. Register here.
Advancing Autonomy Through DARPA Challenge to Benefit First Responders Date: Thursday, May 7, 3-4 p.m. EDT Speaker: Dr. Timothy Chung, program manager, DARPA Tactical Technology Office
DARPA’s Subterranean Challenge engages international teams to deploy autonomous systems — rolling, walking, flying and floating — to remotely map, identify and report on artifacts discovered along underground courses. Chung will discuss persisting challenges with robotics, how teams are succeeding in competition while advancing unmanned capabilities and how these lessons can benefit first responders. Register here.
Aerial Connectivity Joint Activity — Bridging the Gap Between Cellular and Aviation Date: Friday, May 8, 2-3 p.m. Speaker: Mark Davis, technical lead, ACJA
Davis will explore the latest roadmap for aviation and cellular communications, including how recent initiatives such as Aerial Connectivity Joint Activity (ACJA) are aimed at providing a standards framework to enable unmanned aerial cellular. ACJA is a joint activity between GSMA, which represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, and the Global UTM Association, a non-profit consortium of worldwide Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management stakeholders. Register here.
The AUVSI Xponential trade show has been postponed due to COVID-19, with a tentative reschedule date planned for August.
AUVSI Xponential 2020 was scheduled be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center May 4-7. AUVSI has identified Aug. 9-12 as tentative dates to reschedule the event.
AUVSI Xponential is a large event for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and unmanned, autonomous industries. Held for the past 47 years, the conference attracts more than 8,500 attendees and 700 exhibitors from around the world.
“Based on currently available information, and with the best interests of our members, exhibitors, attendees and the global community in mind, the AUVSI Board of Directors has made the difficult but necessary decision to postpone AUVSI Xponential 2020,” said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI.
Plans to conduct Xponential 2020 in August may change given how rapidly the COVID-19 situation is evolving. In the meantime, AUVSI will provide updates as information becomes available.
“We will continue to actively assess all potential opportunities to best serve the needs of our community while delivering the world-class event you have come to expect from AUVSI,” Wynne said.
AUVSI has created an email address, [email protected], for submitting inquiries about the plans to reschedule Xponential 2020. The association’s staff will respond to questions and concerns about the conference as quickly as possible.
“We appreciate the incredible support, cooperation and patience we have received from the unmanned systems community as we work through this evolving global issue,” Wynne said.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) will co-host the 5th Annual FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Symposium June 16-18 in Baltimore. The event will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center.
The symposium will bring together representatives from the FAA, other government agencies, the industry and academia. According to the show organizers, the presenters and panelists will discuss the latest information and advancements related to the diverse uses of unmanned aircraft, and how these new entrants are being safely integrated into the National Airspace System.
The show will include four primary educational tracks, including public safety, technology and innovation, international and policy. The public safety track will explore topics such as addressing community concerns, security, and using drones to conduct safer and more effective public safety missions. The technology and innovation track will cover how drones and drone technologies are innovating rapidly and fundamentally changing aviation. The international track will feature discussions on how national and international UAS experts, industry representatives, civil society stakeholders, non-governmental organizations and policy makers are working to integrate and use drones across the globe. Finally, the policy track will allow attendees to hear directly from policy decision makers and get their thoughts on regulatory, operational and technical concerns.
In addition, the FAA will operate as an on-site resource center to answer questions from UAS owners and operators. Subject matter experts will be on hand to answer questions about airspace authorizations, waivers, the Part 107 small UAS rule, changes in hobbyists’ drone operations, the Remote Identification rulemaking, and other policies and regulations, the organizers added.
Guest column by Brian Wynne AUVSI President and CEO
Brian Wynne, AUVSI president and CEO
A recent analysis found that just 10 percent of the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) included in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics Database maintained by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) can operate beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) of its operator.
While the technology for BVLOS operations has existed for years, under current federal regulations, only the military is permitted to use it. The absence of federal regulation allowing BVLOS operations hinders the full value and benefits that the UAS industry has to offer.
Regulations that provide guidance and rules for operating unmanned systems are necessary for the industry’s advancement. Earlier this year, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a proposed rule for UAS operations over people, and the UAS community is eagerly anticipating the agency will offer an additional rule requiring UAS to be equipped with remote identification.
“Remote ID is a crucial next step to gain the confidence of federal defense and security agencies, manned aviation users and the public.”
However, the rulemaking process for remote ID has been delayed by the FAA twice this year and is now slated to be released in December. The need for remote ID cannot be overstated, as the advancement of the UAS industry depends on identifying and tracking UAS flying in the airspace.
Furthermore, remote ID is a crucial next step to gain the confidence of federal defense and security agencies, manned aviation users and the public. With this confidence, UAS can further integrate into the national airspace to perform important BVLOS operations such as inspection of utility rights of way, widespread search-and-rescue missions, and package delivery.
A clear, national regulatory framework and the support of the federal government is needed to drive the adoption of unmanned systems technology and its applications. Currently, the UAS industry is working with our government partners on remote ID and tracking standards, but we recognize that more needs to be done and at a faster pace than the regulatory process allows. That is why the UAS industry is stepping up to explore near-term solutions before remote ID regulations are finalized and published.
In May, AUVSI and the Airports Council International-North America commissioned a Blue Ribbon Task Force on UAS Mitigation at Airports. The task force is working to refine procedural practices and provide a policy framework to address the timely and critical issue of incursions by unauthorized UAS at airports and how best to mitigate this threat, including industry and government recommendations for remote ID. The task force will release a report this year.
Applications of unmanned systems aren’t limited by technology or imagination; they’re only limited by regulations. We need a streamlined regulatory environment that allows for the safe deployment of unmanned systems into our nation’s transportation infrastructure so we can begin to reap the full benefits of this technology.
The task force brings together a cross-section of stakeholders representing the airport, UAS and manned aviation communities to refine procedural practices and provide a policy framework to address the timely and critical issue of incursions by unauthorized UAS at airports and how best to mitigate this threat.
The task force begins work on May 2 during a keynote session at AUVSI Xponential 2019 with a panel discussion featuring Huerta and a representative from the airport industry.
“UAS interfering with manned aviation is a serious issue, and it requires serious solutions. That is why we are bringing together the best and brightest minds to recommend a plan to keep our skies safe for the flying public,” said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI during a news conference at Xponential 2019.
“While UAS hold tremendous societal and economic benefits, occasional bad actors threaten to undermine the great progress we have made and even put responsible, legal UAS operations in a negative light,” Wynne said.
Serious concerns regarding unauthorized and unsafe drone operations near airports have been highlighted by the major disruption such activity caused at London Gatwick Airport in December 2018 and Newark Liberty International Airport in January 2019.
Task Force members will examine and develop recommendations around two main areas:
They will generate expert-led dialogue to refine procedural practices for airports, law enforcement and other stakeholders to ensure efficient and seamless responses to future UAS incidents.
They will develop a longer term policy framework based on the experience from the initial efforts to deter incursions and emerging technologies.
The goal is for the task force’s work to lead to and inform future conversations about UAS mitigation at other facilities, such as national landmarks, stadiums, prisons and military bases.
“One of ACI-NA’s highest priorities is ensuring unauthorized and unsafe drone operations do not adversely affect the safety or security of U.S. and Canadian airports,” said Kevin Burke, president and CEO of ACI-NA, at the news conference. “With more and more drones flying in the airspace, we have found ourselves in a new situation with no clear playbook. By bringing together this exceptional group of experts, we are hopeful we can make significant progress in developing best practices that will help airports respond better.”
The Blue Ribbon Task Force will be comprised of former government officials, security professionals and aviation executives, including:
Michael Huerta, Former Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (Co-Chair)
Deborah Flint, CEO, Los Angeles World Airports (Co-Chair)
Scott Brockman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
Rich Davis, Former Managing Director of Global Security, United Airlines
Trish Gilbert, Executive Vice President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Cathy Lanier, Senior Vice President of Security, National Football League
Huntley A. Lawrence, Director of Aviation, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Chad Makovsky, EVP of Operations, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Marily Mora, President/CEO of the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA)
John Pistole, Former Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, and Former Deputy Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Jamie Rhee, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA)
Expert advice and comments sought. As part of its work, the task force will meet with experts in UAS technology, national security and defense, law enforcement, government, and those working in the National Air Space, including UAS operators, commercial and general aviation pilots, air traffic controllers, and airline and airport leadership.
The task force will solicit comments on its website from the public and will explore holding a limited series of in-person and virtual public meetings on UAS mitigation. It anticipates releasing findings over the summer.
“The industry is working with our government partners on remote identification and tracking standards, but we understand that more needs to be done and at faster pace than the regulatory process allows,” Wynne said. “That’s why the industry is stepping up to explore near-term solutions before remote ID regulations are finalized and published.”
Velodyne presents business cases of lidar solutions in forestry, utilities and surveying at AUVSI’s Xponential.
Frank Bertini, UAV and robotics business manager at Velodyne Lidar (booth #1420), will deliver a featured presentation on the business cases for 3D lidar technology in mobile mapping applications at AUVSI Xponential 2019, taking place on April 29 to May 2, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Bertini will discuss revenue-generating strategies created by adding lidar to drones, backpacks and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) to build autonomous solutions.
Bertini’s session, “Emerging Autonomous Applications for 3D Lidar,” will provide a technical overview of industrial applications for lidar onboard unmanned systems. The presentation focuses on emerging use-cases which are creating businesses opportunities in developing markets, including forestry management, utilities management, and surveying.
The session takes place on Wednesday, May 1, 2-2:30 p.m. in XPO Hall – Solutions Theater.
“Velodyne Lidar helps systems developers by providing rich computer perception data that enables high-performing mapping systems in a lightweight, versatile solution,” said Bertini. “Velodyne sensors make it quick and easy for companies to build highly accurate 3D models of any environment, such as forests, power corridors, and solar energy farms.”
In the presentation, Bertini will examine how drones equipped with Velodyne’s lightweight, powerful lidar can produce high-density point clouds for a forest canopy as well as the terrain underneath.
He will also explain how this can be done at ground level with a backpack application.
Additionally, the session will include mobile mapping case studies involving a power line inspection and surveying a solar power field.
Attendees to AUVSI Xponential 2019 can visit the Velodyne booth to learn about Velodyne’s state-of-the-art lidar technology that delivers a high-resolution surround-view image to accurately measure and analyze the environment.
The performance, range and compact form factor of Velodyne sensors enable developers to design versatile systems that can be configured to any mapping need.
